Last summer marked a record-breaking period of extreme heat in the United States, leading to a surge in heat-related health emergencies across the country. Data collected by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that the warm season from May to September, with peaks in July and August, saw a significant increase in emergency department visits for heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, heat cramps, and sunburns.
Compared to the previous five seasons, the warm season in 2023 witnessed a 20% rise in heat-related emergency department visits. The data from hundreds of emergency departments nationwide indicated that 180 out of every 100,000 total visits were due to heat-related illnesses last year, up from 151 in the years 2018 to 2022.
The rate of heat-related emergency department visits during peak heat periods soared to unprecedented levels in July and August of 2023. The data showed that there were over 300 heat-related emergencies for every 100,000 total emergency department visits during these months, nearly 50% higher than the average peak rate from the previous years.
The US Department of Health and Human Services defines extreme heat days as those when temperatures exceed 95% of the average historical temperatures in a region. In 2023, all regions in the US experienced at least one extreme heat day, with some southern regions enduring extreme levels for more than a third of the warm season, including a stretch of 16 consecutive days.
The CDC report highlighted the escalating risks associated with heat exposure, emphasizing the need for real-time monitoring of weather conditions to guide public health interventions. The report also underscored the importance of understanding regional variations in heat-related emergency department visits to tailor effective prevention strategies.
Vulnerable groups, including children, individuals with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, and outdoor workers, are at higher risk during heat waves. President Joe Biden's administration has taken steps to protect workers from extreme heat by issuing a 'hazard alert' and enhancing enforcement efforts.
Efforts to address the escalating health risks of heat waves include ensuring access to air conditioning, cooling spaces, and reliable power grids. The CDC's use of data from various surveillance programs and initiatives like the National EMS Information System dashboard aims to provide timely insights to inform public health responses and save lives.
